The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Why are adult friendships so hard to make (and keep)?

When I do meet someone amazing, trying to be friends can feel more awkward than dating

Perspective by
Lily contributor
February 4, 2018 at 9:36 a.m. EST
(Katie Wheeler/For The Washington Post)

“I’m that awkward woman at the bar staring at you because I like your hair and you seem really nice, but I don’t want to seem weird. I’m looking for a friend who values honesty, loves Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and likes to eat burritos after midnight.”

It sometimes feels as though we should be putting out long, detailed ads to find a friend (I don’t recommend this) as adults. It can be really difficult to find someone who vibes with you and it’s exacerbated by the fact that we may not have the same opportunities to make new friends that were available to us in school or at that terrible bar gig.